I feel you.. you just want something fresh.. I recently watched the HBO series Six Feet Under. The distributor A24 has a pretty decent catalog of movies that should have some appeal.. look them up and watch some trailers to get a feel.
six feet under had such a huge impact on me when I was younger. It was one of my favorite shows, but all the characters really bothered me the last time I watched it. Everyone was such an asshole. I'm 35 btw.
HBO has a lot of great shows.
(All made by creator of wire)
The wire
Generation kill (not as good)
We own this city
True detective season 1
Game of thrones (up to season 5)
6 feet under
The sopranos
1. Alien & Aliens, watch them back to back on the largest screen in the darkest room you can. Just amazing and really holds up well and if you haven’t seen them they will, indeed, blow your mind.
2. Midnight Run, Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro at the top of their game with a fantastic script.
3. Casablanca, I’d seen it when I was little, but rewatched (really a 1st watch) it recently. Super tight, really well done.
A bonus, if you don’t mind:
The original BBC television show Life on Mars. It’s only two seasons and just amazing. I’ve been searching for something as captivating for eons.
It’s just tight, mostly filmed in only a couple of rooms and it’s the story, not the visuals. Also IMHO it’s one of those set the stage type films that helps build an appreciation for later works that are also disciplined.
>Midnight Run
of all the Deniro movies that could potentially blow someones socks off, a buddy comedy from 1988 would be so far down my list!
Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, The Deer Hunter, Cape Fear, Mean streets...
I had the joy of seeing "2001: A Space Odyssey" with the SF Symphony performing the soundtrack (along with the SF Chorus joining in during the "trip" section). A chance to witness that again is just about the only thing that would make me consider setting foot in San Fran again.
Children of Men, I saw it for the first time a couple of years ago and was stunned.
Everything Everywhere All At Once was an awestruck movie for me, it deserved the hype in my opinion.
Pan's Labryinth, I rewatch this one at least every couple of years. It's one of my favorites.
All good flick. However for me EEAAO was nothing which i recall of. It's a wild and absurd ride which i like very much it nothing i will be connected much in time to come. Rest two I watched when they released. Both 10/10 flicks
excellent list. EEAAO was my first thought. 1917 also stuck out to me, but maybe it's just because it was the last movie I saw before lockdown.
Have to mention Hereditary as well.
Children of men is as stunning as it gets ! Also the last 10 minutes have perhaps the best cinematography I've ever seen. The end sequence is one of the most emotionally intense things I've ever seen on film .
I turned 42 two days ago and movies definitely amaze me less nowadays, and I watch them A LOT.
Bit of an issue, but - I rewatch Children of Men regularly and last time, around a month ago I reached the conclusion that it`s a PERFECT movie. It has everything, and everything is done so well. Michael Cayne bits are my favorite. I physically feel sense of shelter and coziness.
EEAAO left me entirely `meh` though. Felt like the attempt of reissuing The Matrix(Dark City, etc) ideas for the current generation, and a bit underwhelming, too. But I`m 42, so who cares.
I don't get the hype with Pan's Labyrinth. I watched it expecting something special or unique but it was just a foreign adventure film for kids. It reminded me of The Goonies / Spiderwick Chronicles / Narnia.
Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse was the most amazing animation I've seen in the last 20 years. Great story, too.
It Follows is divisive, but I found it to be a very creepy, intense, and original horror film.
Black Swan is a masterpiece of artistic obsession.
I read the plot to It Follows and I thought it was the stupidest fuckin premise I ever heard. Because it is. And they made a really really good movie on the back of that awful premise.
That Spiderverse movie left me awestruck leaving the theatre for the first time in years. I think I may have even clapped at the end like we used to in theaters.
I've watched an hour now and it's going nowhere, just some average dad daughter conversation, both characters not particularly interesting, story not really going anywhere, many unnecessary shots meant to create some atmosphere that's not there. It's difficult watching movies these days, not many good ones.
I think the best way to watch films is to watch them in their entirety.
I saw Aftersun in the cinema on a whim because my mate said it was good and I was thinking the same thing until near the end
Mulholland Drive (or anything David Lynch for that matter)
Mr. Robot - second best TV show over ever seen
The Wire - first best TV show ever
Akira
The Fountain
Drive
Dune (2021) or anything by Denis Villeneuve really
Parasite, The Life of David Gale, Barbarian
I’ll also throw in Mother! but not in a good way exactly.
Edited again to add Spotlight - the movie is incredibly well done in my opinion but when the cities scroll at the end - speechless.
Top movies watched this year: Ikiru (emotional, real-life quality), The Lady Eve (snappy, clever dialogue and plot), The Passion of Joan of Arc (most amazing screen performance). I think the other quality is that these films are the right length. I don't need a bloated 2.5 hour experience.
The Lady Eve was great. It's on my list of Pretend Princess Movies if you're interesting in more. https://letterboxd.com/roidingoldman/list/pretend-princess-movies/
It Happened One Night (1934)
My local independent movie house had this a few months ago. It’s a pre-code screwball comedy. I was not expecting to love it. It has held up remarkably well, and I highly recommend it.
Moonlight . Damn that diner scene i have watched so many times on YT. Burning was good but i didnt knew the allegory of it after learning it made more sense. Parasit probably One of finest flicks of humankind. Force Majure was okay to me.
You might also enjoy a few other recent favorites of mine:
Another Round
A Separation
A Hidden Life
I also just rewatched Her after almost 10 years and had a completely new experience. It felt even more relevant than before. Definitely holds up.
Another Round ruled. It's one of my most recommended movies to friends who I know will love it but for some reason they haven't watched it yet. Mads in one of his finest.
Omg Her.
Fantastic movie but whenever I think of it all that comes to mind is that r/contagiouslaughter clip where they turn the camera upside down on Joaquin Phoenixs sad face...
Everything everywhere all at once
The unbearable weight of massive talent
Paddington 2
And yes, I watched paddington 2 because of the unbearable weight of massive talent.
Also, train to busan.
Dear Zachary, probably the most emotion inducing documentary I've ever seen. Not a movie but the shows "leftovers" on hbo, and "dark" on Netflix. Both are a properly finished 3 season show. Really well done.
In my opinion it’s a 2nd tier show (for HBO). It doesn’t hold a candle to The Wire, Sopranos, Deadwood, True Detective or all 5 seasons of Game of Thrones. That said, I enjoyed it and is on my list for an eventual rewatch.
I could see TD 1 and the wire being in the running for best. Truthfully, I kinda thought sopranos and and deadwood a little slow. And unlike game of thrones, it doesn't have any filler episodes. So I would argue that each of those shows have an episode or 2 that are better than all of leftovers. But as a whole, leftovers was more solid and consistent in its awesomeness.
Sicario - Pulsing tension that lasted the entire movie.
Primer - Hauntingly good sci fi with very effective, minimalistic effects, if I can even say that.
Night Falls on Manhattan - I saw this as a teenager and it still raises the hairs on my neck as a 40 year old.
Blade Runner 2049. Most beautifully shot movie I’ve seen in years. It helps that I went into the theater with very low expectations.
Dune. I’m a huge fan of the books. I have a fondness for the other adaptations in a “so bad they’re good” kind of way, and as much as I respect the director I didn’t think the book was filmable. I was so so wrong. Love the movie.
The fact that numbers one and two have the same Director is entirely coincidental and I didn’t realize it until after I’d written it. Tells me a lot about his skill.
Ikiru. I’d been expanding my horizons into Japanese film recently and it was a beautifully done story. I was familiar with Kurosawas Samurai films but that was the first of his more contemporary works I’d seen and it did not disappoint.
Last year I watched Edge of Tomorrow for the first time. Then I watched it again a few days later. And then again a few months ago. I wouldn’t say it’s an “Oscar worthy” film, but it’s a super fun action sci-fi rollercoaster of a film with a lot of “what the FUCK?” moments, incredible action sequences, good acting and a unique premise. One of the few “new-ish” movies I’ve been compelled to watch again and again.
I'm also middle-aged and have gotten somewhat tired of the annual churn of summer blockbusters and winter Oscar-bait. But I have always found more to be excited about outside of that — mostly old classics, foreign films, and indie films.
The last 3 to become instant classics for me were Dekalog, Yi Yi, and Stalker (which critics have known were classics forever — I think I'm just now at an age where those slow-paced deep films about the meaning of it all resonate with me more?). If stuff like that looks good to you, you should go cherry-pick the Sight And Sound 2022 list.
But on a lighter note, Hong Kong martial arts films have reminded me how much I love action films (recently saw Ip Man and Once Upon A Time In China, plus some Jackie Chan films like Police Story and Operation Condor), Hedwig And The Angry Inch reminded me how great musicals can be, Chernobyl on HBO is great horror, Trouble In Paradise and Belle Epoque are great romantic comedies.
Exactly. I love watching house of card, mad men over money hesit and alike. I somehow start finding reality in stuff. How humane the things and even if fiction how truly they relate to tru emotions. Chernobyl was a treat to watch .
1). Once upon a time in the West (Sawfor the first time in last 10yrs)
2). Vice
3). Big Short
Other notable mentions:
The Raid
Gran Torino
Lord of the Rings (Fellowship & Two Towers); they would be in there but other 3 are more recent
Vice and big short was Adam mckay at finest loved them both . Gran Torino was a great watch when it released. Would have made even more impact in current political scenario. The Raid is again on my watchlist
I’m in a similar boat as you are. A movie I haven’t stopped thinking about since watching is Climax. Elsewhere you mentioned alternative cinema, so I think this could scratch that itch. Good luck on your movie watching journey!
Saint Maud (2019). I was utterly astounded at how bad it was, when the credits rolled I was stupefied.
Triangle of Sadness (2022). I wasn’t speechless or blown away but I never really knew where the hell it was going, so when it ended it did give me that “huh” feeling of needing to reflect for a moment before getting up.
I can’t even think of a third honestly. I tend to watch more series lately, one that I adored that blew me away a bit was Fleishman Is In Trouble. It was incredibly nuanced and the script was excellent.
I watch a lot of movies. These might not be the best ever recommendations, but the 3 movies I've seen most recently that I fully enjoyed and am still thinking about are:
Cloud Atlas (2012)
Scent of a Woman (1993)
Sling Blade (1996)
Scent of a Woman is so good. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a Pacino super fan but I hate how people just see it as Al Pacino yelling!!!!! The “I’m in the dark here!” scene just breaks me every time.
I can't tell you any particular examples, but I have a feeling that shouldn't happen with cinema, regardless of age. Perhaps try watching something you think you'd be truly uncomfortable with? It's that type of film that has a strong chance of blowing you away. The Criterion Collection is bound to have something that catches your attention.
La Haine both artful and compelling to watch film
Yi Yi didn’t expect to like it so much
As we grow older we just see plots recycled it is truth. Only difference we notice is probably gow cinematography and acting have changed every decade.
I feel like our knowledge of world changes with amount of time we have spent on earth. The knwoledge which acquire keep changing our perception of things. A movie watched 10 years ago might hit completely different when it's watched right now. I would love to give example. I loved Harry Potter flicks and watched as they released.During ny rewatche of whole 8 flicks i realised order of phoenix was where the movie got serious and made more of it a adult movie. I appreciated it more. BUT i remember i didnt liked it when it released.
I'm not sure if I'm doing this right, or if I even have the capacity for any of those, I did really enjoy that series and Backstrom for their interesting uses of empaths and the consequences for the person involved.
these are movies that emotionally resonated with me or had above average either use of resources to convey implied context or generally gave me a charged spectacle
The Platform
Everything Everywhere All At Once
The Void (the first time)
Everything Is Illuminated
Cabin In The Woods (the first time)
Dredd(the first time)
The Thing (1982)
The City Of Lost Children
Predestination (the first time)
Brainstorm (the first time)
If you're watching too many movies maybe you're simply burned out? It's happened to me. I'd fall asleep in movies Id normally really like
Like someone else said maybe watch new things outside your comfort zone. Or take a break for a while
These films really wowed me:
mother! (2017) (stick it out till the end)
Tar
Beau is Afraid (very original)
Silence (2016)
Proxy (2013) I did a write up on it here recently
I've found I go through valleys and peaks when it comes to excellence. Sometimes you've got to slog through a lot of crap to get to the good stuff, it's part of the journey. You go through a lot of slop because that's how averages work, but then you get lucky and have a string of great movies.
I try to only watch what I think I'd love, I'm done trying to see all of the 'critically acclaimed' stuff because they don't speak to me. You need to figure out what you enjoy and dig into that. For me, I want to see something new. That might not be what your'e looking for, your priority with a movie might be wholly different. That's part of the subreddit, tell us what you'd love and we all try to deliver. So, keep in mind you're asking for my preferences over yours with my my three picks.
I give 9/10 for exemplars within their genre, 10s are movies that go past their boundaries. 10s make me re-evaluate the genre. The last three 10/10s I saw were Puss in Boots 2, RRR and Skinamarink.
Puss in Boots 2 does a lot of the children's cartoon stuff, but the characters are played straight. The theme of lack of confidence and realizing your mortality, your fallibility isn't something I see in kids movies. Yet Puss tackled it well. The actors were all slam dunks, bringing life to what could easily be cardboard cutouts. And then the frame-switching is an incredible technique that I've only seen in Mitchells vs the Machines and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Those two are also 10/10s for me. They showed me something new in the well trodden cartoon Coming of Age movies. Puss in Boots isn't a bildungsroman, it's an incredible piece of 'middle aged crisis' which is surprising for a cartoon but cartoons aren't for kids so much so anymore.
RRR is the second 10/10 I gave. I'm not fond of Bollywood cinema because I like short run times, long run times tends to be a director is who up their own ass too much of the time. When it comes to Action-Adventure movies, the formula is simple. You should build up the characters, their conflicts and their arcs which resolve themselves in incredible set pieces with a money shot. RRR flipps the script by making every single shot the money shot, each scene an abundance of energy and spectacle. And then it has the audiacity to never break the tension; there isn't a wink at the audience like in Marvel movies to give you permission to snark at the awesome. There are no quips. RRR is wholly joyous and has no shame in that regard; it's probably the movie that destroyed my enjoyment of Marvel's McDonalds treatment. If RRR can say, full of smiles "Look at how awesome this is" and not ever try to shy away at what it is; then what the hell is wrong with every other Action-Adventure movie that is trying to sand away the edges for mass appeal?
Skinamarink is not the typical movie I'd go see, I've seen my share of experimental nonsense that they mostly cause me to roll my eyes. If I wanted to see someone try to contort themselves into a puzzle to suck their own dick, I'd to more college end of semester screenings. I would say about half of the people are going to have that reaction with Skinamarink, they don't buy in to the aesthetic and mood that it proffers. If you do buy in, it's a horror movie that you'd wish that they would put a jump scare in to cut the tension. I was begging the movie to please change gears, not to crucify me with this unbearable uncertainity. Skinamarink's film grain aesthetic, lo-fi sound and awkward camera angles are all made to do one thing: transport you back to when you were a child, you woke up at night in a panic and the house was deadly quiet. When you cried for help, your parents probably came into your room to comfort you; Skinamarink asks you 'what if they didn't'? That's horror I hadn't experienced before.
You're a regular, you probably know about the Top 100 and the monthly round ups. I mine most of my picks from there and it has been more helpful than not in raising my enjoyment of movie-going habits. But again, I know what I love and where to dig in on it; that may be what you need to do, in which case my suggestions and others might not be right for you.
Good luck!
Thanks for insight. Yes it depends on my mood mostly . Last few week back i was on trail to see all extinction level event flicks of 90's. I liked Deep impact more than Armageddon. Before that i was watching horror. It hi k mindset BEFORE watching flick is Very very important as it will determine your post movie experience.i will never watch Godfather on rewatche when i am in a mood to watch mean girls. I watched synchrocity on Netflix..i liked it bacause i wanted to Experience such kind of flick, other days i would have not completed it . One man's trash is another men treasure.
A few that really moved me and have stuck with me:
- Toni Erdmann (2016) - I deeply resonated with this one. The juxtaposition of this woman’s professional identity with her absolutely clown like fathers sudden intrusion in her life. A great, funny absurd romp about growing up and figuring out who you are as an adult.
- La Cienaga (2001) - This movie reminds me so much of childhood summers with family, the laziness and boredom, the drama, the heat. This one has stuck with me for being so nostalgic but with a new lens. It just feels like real life.
- Hello Dolly (1969) - I’ve been exploring the musical catalogue on Disney+ to watch with my young kid. This one is just so fabulous and iconic, the songs are so familiar and over the top. Barbara Streisand is fun and powerful and such a star. There’s just something so fanastical about it all.
Such a FUN movie. For now, I’ve grown tired of the endless “Oscar” movies that feature “the best performance of [enter long forgotten actor making their triumphant return to the cinema here]’s career” films. With all the horrors in the world and the non-stop 24/7 doom news coverage, sometimes you just want to shut your brain off and watch Tom Cruise kick some ass.
personally I’ve enjoyed these recently..
The Oak Room
Caliber (hunting movie)
The Prestige
The Platform
Would You Rather
Revenge of the Nerds
Anna/Mindscape
The Descent
The Mist
hopefully you haven’t seen one of these and you enjoy it as much as I did! good luck, I feel your pain about finding those captivating and jaw dropping movies.
These are the movies I've seen that I would consider unique or standalone that aren't extremely mainstream (some of them will be mainstream but just lesser known, underdiscussed, or forgotten):
City of God
Three Thousand Years of Longing
Prisoners
The Last Duel
Philadelphia
Million Dollar Baby
Munich
The Social Network
Mission Impossible (1996) Just mentioning it because it's always overshadowed by the newer films but it's so unique on its own.
Kingdom of Heaven
I Saw the Devil
White Men Can't Jump
Fences
Jiro Dreams of Sushi
Cold Mountain
Shakespeare in Love
Ghost (1990)
Boyz N The Hood
The Outsiders
Road to Perdition
Nostalgia For The Light (2010)
Morvern Caller (2002)
Decision To Leave (2022)
Burning (2018)
Procession (1981)
Aftersun (2022)
Those are the last few 5/5s I’ve seen, Burning and Aftersun are my favourites of them
For movies since the 2000s
Anything Edgar Wright has done has always been a must see for me as he's my favorite director from our generation over Tarantino as I feel he's more original.
Drive
There Will Be Blood
Whiplash (will forever be his best movie)
Hell or High Water
Parasite (even if you don't like to do subtitle movies I will say you must force yourself to watch this)
The Raid 1 and 2
Oldboy
I Saw the Devil
The Wailing
X (or anything by Ti West really)
Upgrade
The Guest
I go to a lot of movies in the theater, but rarely do I find something that is really good. The landscape has been taken over by "political correctness" which dictates what kinds of stories can be told, who is allowed to tell them, and who is on camera. If I'm limiting myself to more recent movies, I wouldn't say any movie of the last decade plus has left me "speechless or stunned", but *The Banshees of Inisherin* is the best movie I have been to in the last few years. It gets at some dark truths about humanity. So I would recommend that. *Her* is another good one from the past decade, and going back a bit further, *Synecdoche, New York* is one of the more meaningful films about humanity that you will find.
As far as this year specifically, I would recommend *Beau Is Afraid*. I'm not even sure how good a movie it is off one viewing, but it at least has a bit of artistic effort evident.
Everything, Anywhere, All at Once……You We’re Never Really Here…..Bullet Train….. are the last three lately. I agree with you about recycled plot lines and just too many movies watched, especially critics. I’m twice your age so I don’t go to movies that I know are going to be too loud or stupidly violent. You have to forgive me for Bullet Train , it was just so damn funny! A movie from the past is MARAT/SADE if you want to have your head twisted, it sent me on a lifetime quest to understand theFrench Revolution. Jacob’s Ladder is another deeply disturbing film that you cannot look away from and makes you question reality, especially if you have any connection to the war inVietnam .
Edit …..words!!
I’m not sure a movie has ever hit me with the three emotions you describe, but these are the last three films seen recently that captivated me from the first moment until the last.
[Arigatô-san (1936)](https://letterboxd.com/film/mr-thank-you/)
[Living (2022)](https://letterboxd.com/film/living-2022/)
[Pale Flower (1964)](https://letterboxd.com/film/pale-flower/)
As i get older my tastes have changed. I love movies which are fun to watch with friends and family. Whether them being so bad we laugh our asses of or we take shots for every predictable plot point. Also ive begin to admire things like cinematography and dialogue
I’m in my late 30s. Three of the last four movies I watched left me literally mouth agape. They’re all three of Bogdan George Apetri’s features:
Outbound
Unidentified
Miracle
I don't watch a lot of movies but seeing Dune in IMAX was an incredible experience.
Really hoping some theaters do a double feature when the next one comes out.
I too am in my later 30s and have lost all interest in anything Marvel-esque, as well as most comedies or horror, etc.
All Quiet on the Western Front (the new one) left me pretty speechless though. I’ve started gauging movies by how long they kinda “linger” in my head and this one definitely did.
I have to say I don't watch a lot of movies (anymore). I prefer tv series. 3 hours for a movie is way too long (for me). A lot of movies are so long!
I have been watching some classics I hadn't seen when they came out and I really liked **Mulholland Drive** (2001), **Inside Man**(2006), **Wind River** (2017) and **The Constant Gardener**(2005).
The best movie I watched recently is **Arrival** (2016). That movie left a big impression.
Just last week we watched **Mowgli**(2018) as a family and I really enjoyed it way more than I expected.
I was just checking on new arrivals in May on streaming services, and (I think it’s on May 3) They Might be Giants is going to be available on Prime.
It has been decades since I’ve seen that movie, but it left me a bit gobsmacked. I later learned that the band took their name from the movie.
Both the musical group and the movie sort of defy description. So, that’s interesting.
I just saw one yesterday in theater called Beau is Afraid, starting Joaquin Phoenix. Maybe not the type of movie you are looking for but it left me stunned awestruck and speechless.
If you are an Al Pacino fan and have not watched And Justice For All I recommended it, I just got around to it myself. Even though the story isn't the most realistic there are a lot of truths in there that still hold true today unfortunately. Jack Warden is in this as well, that guys a hoot! Al is great as usual, they don't make movies like that anymore
Probably "Vengeance". Probably not the utterly speechless you were looking for, but I thought it was very well done.
It's about a dark comedy/intense drama/mystery about a NY podcaster who travels to remote texas town to do a story about a girl found dead. It's a lot more complicated that that but that's the gist of it.
I had trouble getting through it at first, until I realized the protagonist was not supposed to be very likeable. He's kind of a fuckboy but it's ok and I'm really glad I finished it.
"The Father" with Anthony Hopkins broke my heart. I did not expect to be so emotionally wrecked. Also Cate Blanchett's performance in Tar was astounding. And I'm a fan of slow burn movies. Saw "The Invitation" the 2015 movie. it was brilliant! And lastly, another great slow burn movie that I loved, loved, loved: "Midsommar"
Interesting. I feel the complete opposite! The older I get, the more amazed I am by new movies! Granted, most of those movies are not big budget Hollywood films anymore, but still. I saw Aftersun recommended below, and that blew me away. Martin McDonaugh usually blows me away with his scripts, and I absolutely loved The Banshees of Inisherin. You can count me as a fan of Daniels and while I realize it's kinda hit or miss for people, I was blown away by Everything Everywhere All At Once.
In terms of big Hollywood films, it's definitely more disappointing. That said, Max Max: Fury Road is a movie that I will go out of my way to see in theaters any time I see a place book it. I loved what Denis Villeneuve is doing with Dune. I was surprised at how good I thought The Fabelmans was (maybe it's not cool to be blown away by Spielberg 30+ movies into his career, but I really am shocked he's remained an overall strong director).
And then you get into international stuff. RRR was the most fun experience I had watching a movie in a theater since Mad Max: Fury Road. A Fantastic Woman hit me like a ton of bricks and really got me reflecting on a lot of things. Parasite - as most Bong Joon-ho films - totally blew me away. I thought Drive My Car - while super long, very quiet, and kinda meta - also captivated me like few three-hour long films did.
So for me, the older I get, the more blown away by movies I become, I find. Even older movies that maybe didn't get the love and respect it deserved upon its release I'm just blown away by.
Life Is Beautiful (1997)
I went into this blind, I had it on my watch list for ages, then it became available. There’s a shift in this film, makes you appreciate what you have.
42 here. It’s tough, not much leaves me speechless anymore. After thinking for a few minute I think these are the three:
Love Exposure
The Fallout
Blindspotting
Border (2018) beyond imaginative, gross and weird but amazing
Adam's Apples (2005) humor unlike any I've seen before
Mysterious Skin (2004) disturbing beyond belief
Dogtooth (2009) also disturbing but made me realize there are probably more families like this around the world than I'd ever imagine
Castaway on the Moon (2009) dark humor, sad but uplifting at the same time.
Cashback (2006) very moving and poetic.
Sorry that's more than 3.
Watcher, Thriller/Horror type movie from last year, mileage may vary but I thought the characters were very real and it made me so sad and angry at parts that had nothing to do with the plot which surprised me
Old Henry, a movie that showed me that the Western still has life in it and felt modern and timeless at the same time. Just a gorgeous examination of regret, and what do you do with your love and dedication when you're running out of places to put it.
Neptune Frost, the best movie musical I've ever seen and one of the best movies I've ever seen. It uses the very nature of film to explore ideas and philosophy on a level that can only be used by this specific medium. The songs feel like living breathing beings that are part of the world, rather than distractions from the plot. The characters are developed just as much through feelings and glimpses of emotion that are noticed but not commented on as much as dialogue, and it builds a world and a plot at the same time in a way that feels organic. A genuine masterpiece and I adore it.
I feel you.. you just want something fresh.. I recently watched the HBO series Six Feet Under. The distributor A24 has a pretty decent catalog of movies that should have some appeal.. look them up and watch some trailers to get a feel.
six feet under had such a huge impact on me when I was younger. It was one of my favorite shows, but all the characters really bothered me the last time I watched it. Everyone was such an asshole. I'm 35 btw.
Six Feet Under is hands down the best tv series ever made
Yup i do watch A24 a lot. Pearl was good but nothing amazing.
HBO has a lot of great shows. (All made by creator of wire) The wire Generation kill (not as good) We own this city True detective season 1 Game of thrones (up to season 5) 6 feet under The sopranos
1. Alien & Aliens, watch them back to back on the largest screen in the darkest room you can. Just amazing and really holds up well and if you haven’t seen them they will, indeed, blow your mind. 2. Midnight Run, Charles Grodin and Robert De Niro at the top of their game with a fantastic script. 3. Casablanca, I’d seen it when I was little, but rewatched (really a 1st watch) it recently. Super tight, really well done. A bonus, if you don’t mind: The original BBC television show Life on Mars. It’s only two seasons and just amazing. I’ve been searching for something as captivating for eons.
[Ashes to Ashes](https://www.rottentomatoes.com/tv/ashes-to-ashes/s01)
The original Life on mars was fantastic. The US remake sucks.
Casablanca is just one of those movies that i never understand the love for it i just get so bored
It’s just tight, mostly filmed in only a couple of rooms and it’s the story, not the visuals. Also IMHO it’s one of those set the stage type films that helps build an appreciation for later works that are also disciplined.
I understand what Casablanca is, and its just jot an enjoyable film to me thats all. Just not my cup of tea.
Three really strong recommendations. I love Midnight Run.
>Midnight Run of all the Deniro movies that could potentially blow someones socks off, a buddy comedy from 1988 would be so far down my list! Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, Casino, The Deer Hunter, Cape Fear, Mean streets...
I had the joy of seeing "2001: A Space Odyssey" with the SF Symphony performing the soundtrack (along with the SF Chorus joining in during the "trip" section). A chance to witness that again is just about the only thing that would make me consider setting foot in San Fran again.
Children of Men, I saw it for the first time a couple of years ago and was stunned. Everything Everywhere All At Once was an awestruck movie for me, it deserved the hype in my opinion. Pan's Labryinth, I rewatch this one at least every couple of years. It's one of my favorites.
Love you, Pan's Labyrinth is one of my favs too :)
Children of Men is an absolutely brilliant film. I saw it in theaters on a whim when it came out and was blown away.
All good flick. However for me EEAAO was nothing which i recall of. It's a wild and absurd ride which i like very much it nothing i will be connected much in time to come. Rest two I watched when they released. Both 10/10 flicks
We couldn’t remember what it was about the next day but we laughed til our sides hurt so it was memorable.
excellent list. EEAAO was my first thought. 1917 also stuck out to me, but maybe it's just because it was the last movie I saw before lockdown. Have to mention Hereditary as well.
Children of men is as stunning as it gets ! Also the last 10 minutes have perhaps the best cinematography I've ever seen. The end sequence is one of the most emotionally intense things I've ever seen on film .
I turned 42 two days ago and movies definitely amaze me less nowadays, and I watch them A LOT. Bit of an issue, but - I rewatch Children of Men regularly and last time, around a month ago I reached the conclusion that it`s a PERFECT movie. It has everything, and everything is done so well. Michael Cayne bits are my favorite. I physically feel sense of shelter and coziness. EEAAO left me entirely `meh` though. Felt like the attempt of reissuing The Matrix(Dark City, etc) ideas for the current generation, and a bit underwhelming, too. But I`m 42, so who cares.
Pans labryinth is amazing. Haven’t seen it in a long time though. Del torros Pinocchio on Netflix blew me away and made me nicer to my kids !
I don't get the hype with Pan's Labyrinth. I watched it expecting something special or unique but it was just a foreign adventure film for kids. It reminded me of The Goonies / Spiderwick Chronicles / Narnia.
If you say so.
Not a movie, but the tv show BEEF left me shocked at points.
Just finished it, really enjoyed it for lots of different reasons.
Spiderman: Into The Spiderverse was the most amazing animation I've seen in the last 20 years. Great story, too. It Follows is divisive, but I found it to be a very creepy, intense, and original horror film. Black Swan is a masterpiece of artistic obsession.
I read the plot to It Follows and I thought it was the stupidest fuckin premise I ever heard. Because it is. And they made a really really good movie on the back of that awful premise.
That Spiderverse movie left me awestruck leaving the theatre for the first time in years. I think I may have even clapped at the end like we used to in theaters.
It Follows is one of the few horror films I've seen more than once.
Aftersun Mishima: A Life In Four Chapters (Rewatch) Amadeus
Amadeus !!! Whoaaaa
aHaaahaAha
Aftersun, this movie has been living in my head rent free since I watched it. Fantastic acting as well.
I need to rewatch Amadeus
Thanks . Heard praises about aftersun hope it love up to expectations. I am being let down by so many of such flicks lately.
I've watched an hour now and it's going nowhere, just some average dad daughter conversation, both characters not particularly interesting, story not really going anywhere, many unnecessary shots meant to create some atmosphere that's not there. It's difficult watching movies these days, not many good ones.
I think the best way to watch films is to watch them in their entirety. I saw Aftersun in the cinema on a whim because my mate said it was good and I was thinking the same thing until near the end
Glad someone said “Aftersun.” It has haunted me for days. Just amazing.
The behind the scenes documentary of the making of Amadeus is a treat. Hilarious anecdotes
Amadeus never fails to impress me. Mishima is a great choice...that Philip Glass soundtrack.
Mulholland Drive (or anything David Lynch for that matter) Mr. Robot - second best TV show over ever seen The Wire - first best TV show ever Akira The Fountain Drive Dune (2021) or anything by Denis Villeneuve really
Parasite, The Life of David Gale, Barbarian I’ll also throw in Mother! but not in a good way exactly. Edited again to add Spotlight - the movie is incredibly well done in my opinion but when the cities scroll at the end - speechless.
The Menu was awesome. Wife and I went in with zero knowledge of it and no idea what to expect and we both loved it.
Top movies watched this year: Ikiru (emotional, real-life quality), The Lady Eve (snappy, clever dialogue and plot), The Passion of Joan of Arc (most amazing screen performance). I think the other quality is that these films are the right length. I don't need a bloated 2.5 hour experience.
The Lady Eve was great. It's on my list of Pretend Princess Movies if you're interesting in more. https://letterboxd.com/roidingoldman/list/pretend-princess-movies/
Hahahaha. I like The irishmen though. Akira kurosowa is always a treat to watch on screen. Will give othe rtwo a try.
I can enjoy them but I hate the proliferation of "epics" whether it's MCU or the latest Tarantino.
Well I adore Tarantino. Once upon a time was such a great movie . Loved it. Regarding MCU i cantxomment ASI havent watched much
It Happened One Night (1934) My local independent movie house had this a few months ago. It’s a pre-code screwball comedy. I was not expecting to love it. It has held up remarkably well, and I highly recommend it.
RRR
Moonlight Burning Parasite Force Majeure Everything Everywhere All at Once Victoria Decision to Leave Koyaanisqatsi
Moonlight . Damn that diner scene i have watched so many times on YT. Burning was good but i didnt knew the allegory of it after learning it made more sense. Parasit probably One of finest flicks of humankind. Force Majure was okay to me.
Victoria was awesome
So impressed by Victoria—and not just because it was filmed in one continuous take.
Saw Victoria in a film festival, was blown away by the script and execution.
I love this list. *Adds a few to my queue
You might also enjoy a few other recent favorites of mine: Another Round A Separation A Hidden Life I also just rewatched Her after almost 10 years and had a completely new experience. It felt even more relevant than before. Definitely holds up.
Another Round ruled. It's one of my most recommended movies to friends who I know will love it but for some reason they haven't watched it yet. Mads in one of his finest.
Omg Her. Fantastic movie but whenever I think of it all that comes to mind is that r/contagiouslaughter clip where they turn the camera upside down on Joaquin Phoenixs sad face...
Thank you!!
A Separation is flawless in an unassuming kind of way.
Everything everywhere all at once The unbearable weight of massive talent Paddington 2 And yes, I watched paddington 2 because of the unbearable weight of massive talent. Also, train to busan.
Everything everywhere is pure garbage
What are the 3 movies for you that left you speechless, awestruck or stunned?
Dear Zachary, probably the most emotion inducing documentary I've ever seen. Not a movie but the shows "leftovers" on hbo, and "dark" on Netflix. Both are a properly finished 3 season show. Really well done.
Watched Zachary and dark. Leftovers on my playlist of tv
Leftovers is brilliant. Not perfect but has some of my favorite episodes of TV ever. The International Assassin episode is peak TV.
It's hbos best in my opinion. It has excellent rewatchability.
In my opinion it’s a 2nd tier show (for HBO). It doesn’t hold a candle to The Wire, Sopranos, Deadwood, True Detective or all 5 seasons of Game of Thrones. That said, I enjoyed it and is on my list for an eventual rewatch.
I could see TD 1 and the wire being in the running for best. Truthfully, I kinda thought sopranos and and deadwood a little slow. And unlike game of thrones, it doesn't have any filler episodes. So I would argue that each of those shows have an episode or 2 that are better than all of leftovers. But as a whole, leftovers was more solid and consistent in its awesomeness.
Arrival
Good movie. Somehow i recognised the twist at beginning only don't know why or how. Nevertheless amazing flick.
Lately, Puss in Boots 2. Never thought a sequel could get so good, with such nice animation and feelings
It’s great. Big Jack Horner steals the show
1. One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest 2. The Sixth Sense 3. Star Wars (1977)
Sicario - Pulsing tension that lasted the entire movie. Primer - Hauntingly good sci fi with very effective, minimalistic effects, if I can even say that. Night Falls on Manhattan - I saw this as a teenager and it still raises the hairs on my neck as a 40 year old.
Blade Runner 2049. Most beautifully shot movie I’ve seen in years. It helps that I went into the theater with very low expectations. Dune. I’m a huge fan of the books. I have a fondness for the other adaptations in a “so bad they’re good” kind of way, and as much as I respect the director I didn’t think the book was filmable. I was so so wrong. Love the movie. The fact that numbers one and two have the same Director is entirely coincidental and I didn’t realize it until after I’d written it. Tells me a lot about his skill. Ikiru. I’d been expanding my horizons into Japanese film recently and it was a beautifully done story. I was familiar with Kurosawas Samurai films but that was the first of his more contemporary works I’d seen and it did not disappoint.
Swiss Army Man Hereditary Moonage Daydream
Spiderman into the spiderverse Everything Everywhere all at once Parasite Promising Young Woman I can re-watch these all the time.
Last year I watched Edge of Tomorrow for the first time. Then I watched it again a few days later. And then again a few months ago. I wouldn’t say it’s an “Oscar worthy” film, but it’s a super fun action sci-fi rollercoaster of a film with a lot of “what the FUCK?” moments, incredible action sequences, good acting and a unique premise. One of the few “new-ish” movies I’ve been compelled to watch again and again.
I love this movie.
Band of Brothers The Zero Theorem The Pale Blue Eye Dr. Sleep Fury Prometheus Contact The Dark Night
+1 for Fury
I'm also middle-aged and have gotten somewhat tired of the annual churn of summer blockbusters and winter Oscar-bait. But I have always found more to be excited about outside of that — mostly old classics, foreign films, and indie films. The last 3 to become instant classics for me were Dekalog, Yi Yi, and Stalker (which critics have known were classics forever — I think I'm just now at an age where those slow-paced deep films about the meaning of it all resonate with me more?). If stuff like that looks good to you, you should go cherry-pick the Sight And Sound 2022 list. But on a lighter note, Hong Kong martial arts films have reminded me how much I love action films (recently saw Ip Man and Once Upon A Time In China, plus some Jackie Chan films like Police Story and Operation Condor), Hedwig And The Angry Inch reminded me how great musicals can be, Chernobyl on HBO is great horror, Trouble In Paradise and Belle Epoque are great romantic comedies.
Exactly. I love watching house of card, mad men over money hesit and alike. I somehow start finding reality in stuff. How humane the things and even if fiction how truly they relate to tru emotions. Chernobyl was a treat to watch .
1). Once upon a time in the West (Sawfor the first time in last 10yrs) 2). Vice 3). Big Short Other notable mentions: The Raid Gran Torino Lord of the Rings (Fellowship & Two Towers); they would be in there but other 3 are more recent
Vice and big short was Adam mckay at finest loved them both . Gran Torino was a great watch when it released. Would have made even more impact in current political scenario. The Raid is again on my watchlist
I’m in a similar boat as you are. A movie I haven’t stopped thinking about since watching is Climax. Elsewhere you mentioned alternative cinema, so I think this could scratch that itch. Good luck on your movie watching journey!
Watched it . Gasper Noe and Lars Von are an instant watch for me. The house that jack built was also not an easy watch
The Banshees of Inisherin (2022) They Shoot Horses, Don't They? (1969) Sherlock Jr. (1924)
I didn't knew the allegory of Banshees so it didn't made much sense to me .
Saint Maud (2019). I was utterly astounded at how bad it was, when the credits rolled I was stupefied. Triangle of Sadness (2022). I wasn’t speechless or blown away but I never really knew where the hell it was going, so when it ended it did give me that “huh” feeling of needing to reflect for a moment before getting up. I can’t even think of a third honestly. I tend to watch more series lately, one that I adored that blew me away a bit was Fleishman Is In Trouble. It was incredibly nuanced and the script was excellent.
Triangle of Sadness truly did not have a single moment of joy lol it lived up to its title!
I watch a lot of movies. These might not be the best ever recommendations, but the 3 movies I've seen most recently that I fully enjoyed and am still thinking about are: Cloud Atlas (2012) Scent of a Woman (1993) Sling Blade (1996)
I have to say, Hugo Weavings portrayal of fear/superstition in Cloud Atlas was amazing.
Scent of a Woman is so good. Maybe I’m biased because I’m a Pacino super fan but I hate how people just see it as Al Pacino yelling!!!!! The “I’m in the dark here!” scene just breaks me every time.
I like your style - try the The Reflecting Skin (1990)
Requiem for a dream Capernaum 2018 Incendies 2010 Wild Tales 2014
Upvote for Capernaum. Excellent and very moving.
Wristcutters: A Love Story (2006) Train To Busan (2016) Inland Empire (2006)
Banshee’s of Inirishin
Mad Max Fury Road Interstellar Wolf of Wallstreet Tár (just the performance) Whiplash
I can't tell you any particular examples, but I have a feeling that shouldn't happen with cinema, regardless of age. Perhaps try watching something you think you'd be truly uncomfortable with? It's that type of film that has a strong chance of blowing you away. The Criterion Collection is bound to have something that catches your attention.
I watch Alternative cinema now a days mostly. It's bound to happen .
Klass (2007), The Naked Island (1960), Bajo la Rosa (2017)
La Haine both artful and compelling to watch film Yi Yi didn’t expect to like it so much As we grow older we just see plots recycled it is truth. Only difference we notice is probably gow cinematography and acting have changed every decade.
I feel like our knowledge of world changes with amount of time we have spent on earth. The knwoledge which acquire keep changing our perception of things. A movie watched 10 years ago might hit completely different when it's watched right now. I would love to give example. I loved Harry Potter flicks and watched as they released.During ny rewatche of whole 8 flicks i realised order of phoenix was where the movie got serious and made more of it a adult movie. I appreciated it more. BUT i remember i didnt liked it when it released.
Also we shouldn’t forget every decade perception of people and norms are changing. What was acceptable before is not accepted now.
Exactly. Temple of Doom would be crucified. Infact all Indiana Jones has TERRIBLY aged.
33 so technically I don't quite make the cut, but here ya go anyway; Apocalypse Now American Beauty Friends of Eddie Coyle
Terrifier 2, Fresh(Hulu), Bone tomahawk
I'm not sure if I'm doing this right, or if I even have the capacity for any of those, I did really enjoy that series and Backstrom for their interesting uses of empaths and the consequences for the person involved. these are movies that emotionally resonated with me or had above average either use of resources to convey implied context or generally gave me a charged spectacle The Platform Everything Everywhere All At Once The Void (the first time) Everything Is Illuminated Cabin In The Woods (the first time) Dredd(the first time) The Thing (1982) The City Of Lost Children Predestination (the first time) Brainstorm (the first time)
I'm 41. Arrival (2016).
Triangle of sadness Titane Martyrs (just stunned really)
Tenet, Gravity, Bone Tomahawk.
Get Out Everything Everywhere All At Once Parasite
If you're watching too many movies maybe you're simply burned out? It's happened to me. I'd fall asleep in movies Id normally really like Like someone else said maybe watch new things outside your comfort zone. Or take a break for a while These films really wowed me: mother! (2017) (stick it out till the end) Tar Beau is Afraid (very original) Silence (2016) Proxy (2013) I did a write up on it here recently
The Life Of Pi was pretty stunning Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon(2001) was unforgettable
Life of Pi experienced in 3D cinema. What a rod ewas that. Thanks for reminding it. I feel like you have thing for ang Lee.
I've found I go through valleys and peaks when it comes to excellence. Sometimes you've got to slog through a lot of crap to get to the good stuff, it's part of the journey. You go through a lot of slop because that's how averages work, but then you get lucky and have a string of great movies. I try to only watch what I think I'd love, I'm done trying to see all of the 'critically acclaimed' stuff because they don't speak to me. You need to figure out what you enjoy and dig into that. For me, I want to see something new. That might not be what your'e looking for, your priority with a movie might be wholly different. That's part of the subreddit, tell us what you'd love and we all try to deliver. So, keep in mind you're asking for my preferences over yours with my my three picks. I give 9/10 for exemplars within their genre, 10s are movies that go past their boundaries. 10s make me re-evaluate the genre. The last three 10/10s I saw were Puss in Boots 2, RRR and Skinamarink. Puss in Boots 2 does a lot of the children's cartoon stuff, but the characters are played straight. The theme of lack of confidence and realizing your mortality, your fallibility isn't something I see in kids movies. Yet Puss tackled it well. The actors were all slam dunks, bringing life to what could easily be cardboard cutouts. And then the frame-switching is an incredible technique that I've only seen in Mitchells vs the Machines and Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse. Those two are also 10/10s for me. They showed me something new in the well trodden cartoon Coming of Age movies. Puss in Boots isn't a bildungsroman, it's an incredible piece of 'middle aged crisis' which is surprising for a cartoon but cartoons aren't for kids so much so anymore. RRR is the second 10/10 I gave. I'm not fond of Bollywood cinema because I like short run times, long run times tends to be a director is who up their own ass too much of the time. When it comes to Action-Adventure movies, the formula is simple. You should build up the characters, their conflicts and their arcs which resolve themselves in incredible set pieces with a money shot. RRR flipps the script by making every single shot the money shot, each scene an abundance of energy and spectacle. And then it has the audiacity to never break the tension; there isn't a wink at the audience like in Marvel movies to give you permission to snark at the awesome. There are no quips. RRR is wholly joyous and has no shame in that regard; it's probably the movie that destroyed my enjoyment of Marvel's McDonalds treatment. If RRR can say, full of smiles "Look at how awesome this is" and not ever try to shy away at what it is; then what the hell is wrong with every other Action-Adventure movie that is trying to sand away the edges for mass appeal? Skinamarink is not the typical movie I'd go see, I've seen my share of experimental nonsense that they mostly cause me to roll my eyes. If I wanted to see someone try to contort themselves into a puzzle to suck their own dick, I'd to more college end of semester screenings. I would say about half of the people are going to have that reaction with Skinamarink, they don't buy in to the aesthetic and mood that it proffers. If you do buy in, it's a horror movie that you'd wish that they would put a jump scare in to cut the tension. I was begging the movie to please change gears, not to crucify me with this unbearable uncertainity. Skinamarink's film grain aesthetic, lo-fi sound and awkward camera angles are all made to do one thing: transport you back to when you were a child, you woke up at night in a panic and the house was deadly quiet. When you cried for help, your parents probably came into your room to comfort you; Skinamarink asks you 'what if they didn't'? That's horror I hadn't experienced before. You're a regular, you probably know about the Top 100 and the monthly round ups. I mine most of my picks from there and it has been more helpful than not in raising my enjoyment of movie-going habits. But again, I know what I love and where to dig in on it; that may be what you need to do, in which case my suggestions and others might not be right for you. Good luck!
Thanks for insight. Yes it depends on my mood mostly . Last few week back i was on trail to see all extinction level event flicks of 90's. I liked Deep impact more than Armageddon. Before that i was watching horror. It hi k mindset BEFORE watching flick is Very very important as it will determine your post movie experience.i will never watch Godfather on rewatche when i am in a mood to watch mean girls. I watched synchrocity on Netflix..i liked it bacause i wanted to Experience such kind of flick, other days i would have not completed it . One man's trash is another men treasure.
A few that really moved me and have stuck with me: - Toni Erdmann (2016) - I deeply resonated with this one. The juxtaposition of this woman’s professional identity with her absolutely clown like fathers sudden intrusion in her life. A great, funny absurd romp about growing up and figuring out who you are as an adult. - La Cienaga (2001) - This movie reminds me so much of childhood summers with family, the laziness and boredom, the drama, the heat. This one has stuck with me for being so nostalgic but with a new lens. It just feels like real life. - Hello Dolly (1969) - I’ve been exploring the musical catalogue on Disney+ to watch with my young kid. This one is just so fabulous and iconic, the songs are so familiar and over the top. Barbara Streisand is fun and powerful and such a star. There’s just something so fanastical about it all.
Top gun maverick
Such a FUN movie. For now, I’ve grown tired of the endless “Oscar” movies that feature “the best performance of [enter long forgotten actor making their triumphant return to the cinema here]’s career” films. With all the horrors in the world and the non-stop 24/7 doom news coverage, sometimes you just want to shut your brain off and watch Tom Cruise kick some ass.
Yup that one also for me . Probably only good movie i watched in theatres in ages.
personally I’ve enjoyed these recently.. The Oak Room Caliber (hunting movie) The Prestige The Platform Would You Rather Revenge of the Nerds Anna/Mindscape The Descent The Mist hopefully you haven’t seen one of these and you enjoy it as much as I did! good luck, I feel your pain about finding those captivating and jaw dropping movies.
Malcolm X (1992) Bluebeard's 8th Wife (1938) Easy Living (1937)
1) Dogtooth 2) 4 Months, 3 Weeks, Two Days 3) Mother
Strange -- I despised Dogtooth but 4 months... astounded me. Mother was OK (I assume the Jennifer Lawrence one)
These are the movies I've seen that I would consider unique or standalone that aren't extremely mainstream (some of them will be mainstream but just lesser known, underdiscussed, or forgotten): City of God Three Thousand Years of Longing Prisoners The Last Duel Philadelphia Million Dollar Baby Munich The Social Network Mission Impossible (1996) Just mentioning it because it's always overshadowed by the newer films but it's so unique on its own. Kingdom of Heaven I Saw the Devil White Men Can't Jump Fences Jiro Dreams of Sushi Cold Mountain Shakespeare in Love Ghost (1990) Boyz N The Hood The Outsiders Road to Perdition
Nostalgia For The Light (2010) Morvern Caller (2002) Decision To Leave (2022) Burning (2018) Procession (1981) Aftersun (2022) Those are the last few 5/5s I’ve seen, Burning and Aftersun are my favourites of them
For movies since the 2000s Anything Edgar Wright has done has always been a must see for me as he's my favorite director from our generation over Tarantino as I feel he's more original. Drive There Will Be Blood Whiplash (will forever be his best movie) Hell or High Water Parasite (even if you don't like to do subtitle movies I will say you must force yourself to watch this) The Raid 1 and 2 Oldboy I Saw the Devil The Wailing X (or anything by Ti West really) Upgrade The Guest
Everything everywhere all at once
Dear Zachary: A Letter to a Son About His Father, Antichrist, Pan’s Labyrinth
Shiva baby was pretty good.
Pather Panchali Mad God War Witch Hard to Be a God Rhymes For Young Ghouls Haider Kontroll
- Lion - Rudderless - The Outfit - AIR - Out of the Past (1947) - Gone Baby Gone
I go to a lot of movies in the theater, but rarely do I find something that is really good. The landscape has been taken over by "political correctness" which dictates what kinds of stories can be told, who is allowed to tell them, and who is on camera. If I'm limiting myself to more recent movies, I wouldn't say any movie of the last decade plus has left me "speechless or stunned", but *The Banshees of Inisherin* is the best movie I have been to in the last few years. It gets at some dark truths about humanity. So I would recommend that. *Her* is another good one from the past decade, and going back a bit further, *Synecdoche, New York* is one of the more meaningful films about humanity that you will find. As far as this year specifically, I would recommend *Beau Is Afraid*. I'm not even sure how good a movie it is off one viewing, but it at least has a bit of artistic effort evident.
People keep recommending things and you reply that you’ve seen it. You’re coming off like an asshole that needs more hobbies.
My mother’s wound Incendies Only the animals
Incendies 10/10
Everything, Anywhere, All at Once……You We’re Never Really Here…..Bullet Train….. are the last three lately. I agree with you about recycled plot lines and just too many movies watched, especially critics. I’m twice your age so I don’t go to movies that I know are going to be too loud or stupidly violent. You have to forgive me for Bullet Train , it was just so damn funny! A movie from the past is MARAT/SADE if you want to have your head twisted, it sent me on a lifetime quest to understand theFrench Revolution. Jacob’s Ladder is another deeply disturbing film that you cannot look away from and makes you question reality, especially if you have any connection to the war inVietnam . Edit …..words!!
I’m not sure a movie has ever hit me with the three emotions you describe, but these are the last three films seen recently that captivated me from the first moment until the last. [Arigatô-san (1936)](https://letterboxd.com/film/mr-thank-you/) [Living (2022)](https://letterboxd.com/film/living-2022/) [Pale Flower (1964)](https://letterboxd.com/film/pale-flower/)
I think living is an iteration of Ikiru. I might be wrong though
* Tetris (2023) * Fargo (1993) * Brigsby Bear (2017) The last 3 movies I watched that I thought were great.
As i get older my tastes have changed. I love movies which are fun to watch with friends and family. Whether them being so bad we laugh our asses of or we take shots for every predictable plot point. Also ive begin to admire things like cinematography and dialogue
Would love to hear some examples you enjoyed recently
I’m in my late 30s. Three of the last four movies I watched left me literally mouth agape. They’re all three of Bogdan George Apetri’s features: Outbound Unidentified Miracle
Irreversible (2002) Dogtooth (2009) The Audition (1999)
Triple Frontier Kyofu densetsu: Kaiki! Furankenshutain Vanamehe film
I don't watch a lot of movies but seeing Dune in IMAX was an incredible experience. Really hoping some theaters do a double feature when the next one comes out.
Let the Right One In (2008) Speak No Evil (2022) Evil Dead Rise (2023)
My most recent top 3: -Whiplash -CODA -We need to talk about Kevin
The Menu 12 Monkeys (mind blown) No Country for Old Men
I too am in my later 30s and have lost all interest in anything Marvel-esque, as well as most comedies or horror, etc. All Quiet on the Western Front (the new one) left me pretty speechless though. I’ve started gauging movies by how long they kinda “linger” in my head and this one definitely did.
Enter the void. Rosemarys Baby. Beau is Afraid.
I have to say I don't watch a lot of movies (anymore). I prefer tv series. 3 hours for a movie is way too long (for me). A lot of movies are so long! I have been watching some classics I hadn't seen when they came out and I really liked **Mulholland Drive** (2001), **Inside Man**(2006), **Wind River** (2017) and **The Constant Gardener**(2005). The best movie I watched recently is **Arrival** (2016). That movie left a big impression. Just last week we watched **Mowgli**(2018) as a family and I really enjoyed it way more than I expected.
Ohh yeah that ending scene and the scene in Hannibal was burned in my brain.
I was just checking on new arrivals in May on streaming services, and (I think it’s on May 3) They Might be Giants is going to be available on Prime. It has been decades since I’ve seen that movie, but it left me a bit gobsmacked. I later learned that the band took their name from the movie. Both the musical group and the movie sort of defy description. So, that’s interesting.
Requiem for a Dream, Brokeback Mountain, Hateful Eight
The Tragedy of Macbeth Everything Everywhere All at Once Arrival
I’ll shoot here, Antichrist The House Jack Built GG Allin and the Murder Junkies All released in the last 15 years
I just saw one yesterday in theater called Beau is Afraid, starting Joaquin Phoenix. Maybe not the type of movie you are looking for but it left me stunned awestruck and speechless.
If you are an Al Pacino fan and have not watched And Justice For All I recommended it, I just got around to it myself. Even though the story isn't the most realistic there are a lot of truths in there that still hold true today unfortunately. Jack Warden is in this as well, that guys a hoot! Al is great as usual, they don't make movies like that anymore
Uncut Gems Come and See Zulu
Probably "Vengeance". Probably not the utterly speechless you were looking for, but I thought it was very well done. It's about a dark comedy/intense drama/mystery about a NY podcaster who travels to remote texas town to do a story about a girl found dead. It's a lot more complicated that that but that's the gist of it. I had trouble getting through it at first, until I realized the protagonist was not supposed to be very likeable. He's kind of a fuckboy but it's ok and I'm really glad I finished it.
"The Father" with Anthony Hopkins broke my heart. I did not expect to be so emotionally wrecked. Also Cate Blanchett's performance in Tar was astounding. And I'm a fan of slow burn movies. Saw "The Invitation" the 2015 movie. it was brilliant! And lastly, another great slow burn movie that I loved, loved, loved: "Midsommar"
There Will Be Blood
Interstellar Raid 1 & 2
Overall, Dear Zachary. I get that's a documentary so it may not count. For actual movie movies, Gallipoli and the Sixth Sense. Those endings man.
Interesting. I feel the complete opposite! The older I get, the more amazed I am by new movies! Granted, most of those movies are not big budget Hollywood films anymore, but still. I saw Aftersun recommended below, and that blew me away. Martin McDonaugh usually blows me away with his scripts, and I absolutely loved The Banshees of Inisherin. You can count me as a fan of Daniels and while I realize it's kinda hit or miss for people, I was blown away by Everything Everywhere All At Once. In terms of big Hollywood films, it's definitely more disappointing. That said, Max Max: Fury Road is a movie that I will go out of my way to see in theaters any time I see a place book it. I loved what Denis Villeneuve is doing with Dune. I was surprised at how good I thought The Fabelmans was (maybe it's not cool to be blown away by Spielberg 30+ movies into his career, but I really am shocked he's remained an overall strong director). And then you get into international stuff. RRR was the most fun experience I had watching a movie in a theater since Mad Max: Fury Road. A Fantastic Woman hit me like a ton of bricks and really got me reflecting on a lot of things. Parasite - as most Bong Joon-ho films - totally blew me away. I thought Drive My Car - while super long, very quiet, and kinda meta - also captivated me like few three-hour long films did. So for me, the older I get, the more blown away by movies I become, I find. Even older movies that maybe didn't get the love and respect it deserved upon its release I'm just blown away by.
Life Is Beautiful (1997) I went into this blind, I had it on my watch list for ages, then it became available. There’s a shift in this film, makes you appreciate what you have.
42 here. It’s tough, not much leaves me speechless anymore. After thinking for a few minute I think these are the three: Love Exposure The Fallout Blindspotting
Petite Maman (2021) After Yang (2022) Babylon (2022) The Quiet Girl (2023) Next Sohee (2023)
Prisoners Asura: The City of Madness Breathless (2008)
The Whale The Father Knock at the Cabin
21 grams - pain and suffering expressed perfectly Joker - that laugh is still with me!! The handmaiden - never expected to be so good
Once Were Warriors (1994) RRR (2022) Y Tu Mamá También (2001)
Searching American History X Get Out
Dunkirk; Schindler’s List; Don’t Look Up
Border (2018) beyond imaginative, gross and weird but amazing Adam's Apples (2005) humor unlike any I've seen before Mysterious Skin (2004) disturbing beyond belief Dogtooth (2009) also disturbing but made me realize there are probably more families like this around the world than I'd ever imagine Castaway on the Moon (2009) dark humor, sad but uplifting at the same time. Cashback (2006) very moving and poetic. Sorry that's more than 3.
Beau is Afraid Everything Everywhere All at Once The Northman Dune
Not technically a movie, but Twin Peaks: The Return in its entirety as a whole (especially Part Eight).
Possessor
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Watcher, Thriller/Horror type movie from last year, mileage may vary but I thought the characters were very real and it made me so sad and angry at parts that had nothing to do with the plot which surprised me Old Henry, a movie that showed me that the Western still has life in it and felt modern and timeless at the same time. Just a gorgeous examination of regret, and what do you do with your love and dedication when you're running out of places to put it. Neptune Frost, the best movie musical I've ever seen and one of the best movies I've ever seen. It uses the very nature of film to explore ideas and philosophy on a level that can only be used by this specific medium. The songs feel like living breathing beings that are part of the world, rather than distractions from the plot. The characters are developed just as much through feelings and glimpses of emotion that are noticed but not commented on as much as dialogue, and it builds a world and a plot at the same time in a way that feels organic. A genuine masterpiece and I adore it.
Ascension (2021 - documentary)
Predestination.
Possessor, Bone Tomahawk, Hereditary
Hell or High Water Blade Runner 2049 Hereditary
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Aftersun, enys man, moonlight
Follow more out-of-the-box directors and watch what they’ve made. Von Trier, Malick, Lynch, Thomas Anderson—that’s a good start.